Mass deportations proposed by President-elect Donald Trump could deliver a significant blow to Mexico’s economy, warns Ismael Plascencia López, a specialist with the Northwest Mexico Federation of Economists.
“They’re talking about deporting 11 to 13 million undocumented migrants now in the United States. It seems like an impossible task,” said Plascencia López. “But even if only one to two million people are deported, it would still be a major hit to the Mexican economy.”
He explained that Mexico would face substantial costs to accommodate deported migrants, including expenses for food, housing, and transportation. This burden could grow if migrants from other nations, whose home countries refuse to take them back, end up staying in Mexico. “It’s not just the sheer number of people being sent back; Mexico will also have to manage those from other countries who are effectively stranded here,” he added.
A significant economic impact would come from the decline in remittances sent home by Mexican migrants working in the United States. These remittances are a cornerstone of Mexico’s economy. In 2023 alone, migrants sent $63.3 billion to Mexico, according to Banxico, Mexico’s National Bank. From January through October of 2024, nearly $55 billion had already been sent.
Plascencia López emphasized that the ripple effects of reduced remittances and increased government spending to support deported individuals could strain Mexico’s resources and weaken its economic stability.
Trump has signaled a robust approach to illegal immigration, reportedly preparing to declare a national emergency to address the issue. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton shared on Truth Social, “Reports are the incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program,” to which president-election Donald Trump responded, “TRUE!!!”
Trump emphasized the necessity of the initiative, stating that cost would not be a barrier. “It’s not a question of a price tag. It’s not — really, we have no choice. When people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries, and now they’re going to go back to those countries because they’re not staying here. There is no price tag.” He underscored his focus on legal immigration, saying new arrivals must “come in with love for the country” and through lawful channels.
Trump reaffirmed the stance of many conservative voters, sharing that, voters “want to have borders, and they like people coming in, but they have to come in with love for the country. They have to come in legally.”
